Permanent shipping rack



Oct. 22, 1929. A. SHERMAN 1,732,385

PERMANENT SHIPPING RACK Fiied June 25, 1927 s Sheets Sheet 1 #9. shrman.

A TTORNE Y 0ct.'22, 1929. L. A. SHERMAN PERMANENT SHIPP'ING BACK 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 19. Sherman.

Filed June 23. 1927 lows ,Z/pZ and.

ATTORNEY.

Patented Oct. 22, 1929 LO'Ll'IS A. SHERMAN, OF GROSSE EOINIEE, MICHIGAN PERMANENT SHIPPING RACK Application filed June 23, 1927. Serial No. 200,844.

This invention has to do with the crating lapsed form while being returned to the shipand shipping or otherwise handling of artiper. cles. Fig. 3 is a plan view of a frame which con The invention is devoted particularly to the stitutcs a part of each rack.

5 provision of a permanent shipping rack Fig. t is an end view showing the frame and which, after use, is to be returned to the shipthe corner sockets which are secured to the per to be used over again. It has been the frame. practice to ship articles by utilizing wood Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail in section taken crating. T he use of wood crating represents on line 5-5 of Fig. 3 showing the lock strucan outlay of time in making the crating, and t-ure. co

wood once used is not suitable for use again, so Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail 011 line 6-6 of that the cost of the wood crating represents Fig. 3. l a considerable overhead to the shipper. The Fig. 7 is a plan view of a. plate upon which present imention contemplates a permanent all article to be shipped is placed.

shipping rack, or frame, made largely of Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary V ew F5 metal. This rack will perhaps be somewhat showing how two of such frames are spaced more expensive than a crate of wood, but due apart andhraced one with respect to the other. to the fact that it can be used over and over F 9 i an end View of crating set up and again it will, in the long run, be cheaper than ld ng thrice articles, such as stoves, ar-

wood crating. ranged vertically.

liloreover, the invention is concerned with The rack consists in a plurality of like units th shipping of articles which are relatively one of which is a frame (jtonslt-ruction in the delicate and liable to be broken or otherwise nature of a platform. This frame is shown in ide defective by the abuse to which it is sublfig. 3 and is referenced, generally, l. The

jeced while in the crating and being shipped. frame is made up of side members 2 and 3 [5 a example of such an article is a porcelain which may he of T-section metal for purposes finisher stove, especially at the present time, of strength, and end members l and 5, which as the trend is to eliminate exposed metal may be of angle metal. A number of cross parts of the stove, including nickel, or otherbraces 6 are provided for making the frame wise finished trimming, and making substanrigid. At each corner of the frame a socketso tiall all parts ofthe stove porcelain finished. ke member 7 provided with extensions 8 Even if such an article is properly packed in which are Secured to the frame- 2 s at 9. This a wooden crate the ars and jolts incident to S ket s Shown in section in Fig. 8, and is shipping on a railroad is liable to crack or chip provided with opposed sockets divided by web the porcelain by reason of the sudden start- 10 which is in turn provided with a relatively s5 ing and stopping of the freight cars. Acsmall opening 11, the purpose of which will cord ingly, the invention contemplates an arsoon be brought out. For thepurpose of furrar- :lflGlli: wherein the article has no contact ther strengthenin the frame the cross momwith the shipping rack, except in that it rests bers 12 may be provided, and each socket memupon the bottom of the rack, and moreover, a her may have a projection 13 of angular form shock absorbing arrangement is provided to for receiving the ends of the members 12, and

protect the article while it is in the rack. the members 12 may be tightenec and held in In the accompanying drawings: position by suitable nuts 14.

Fi 1 h -i t 'l ti l i t k Running lengthwise of the frame, and near through a freight car showing the manner in each edge thereof, is member 15; this memwhich a number of the racks containing artiher is of channel formation for a portion of its clcs are loadcdand secured in place inthe length, as shown in Fig. 6. The channel .ar. formation extends from about the point 16 .lig. 2 is a view showing how a plurality to the point 17 (Fig. 3) so that the chanan of t o crates may be secured together in 001- Del formation is removed from the ends of the frame. Moreover, the back wall of the channel is chamfered or cut away and extends beyond the end of the channel formation, as shown at 18, of Fig. 3.

A plate 20, as shown in Fig. 7, is designed to be slidably received on a platform, and itfits in the channels as shown in Fig. 3. A stove or other article to be shipped is secured to this plate, and for this purpose the plate is provided with a number of bolt holes 21. Adjacent these bolt'holes are hand holes 22 so that an operator can reach his hand through the hand hole and tighten bolts which extend through the bolt holes in the plate and adjacent openings in the stove. In some instances there are bolts or other projections extending downwardly from the stove, and the plate. may. be. provided with openin s 23 for providing a clearance for these projections. The openings 23, as shown in Fig. 7, are positionedcorrectlyfor a particular type of stove, but it will be understood that these openings can be placed anywhere accordingto the location of the projections on the stove.

The plate, when; in proper position in the frame, is locked with respect to the frame, and preferably this locking device takes the form of a shock absorber. For this purpose the plate may be pro-videdwith an opening 24.-'having oppositely extending narrow portions. Cooperating with this opening is a locking device, as best shown in Figs. 3 and 5. This locking device consists of a bolt 25 slidably mounted in spaced brackets 26 which are securedto the frame. Centrally of the bolt is a fixed shoulder member or washer 2, and on either. side of the member 27 and between the brackets are coil springs 28 and 28. Pinned to one end of the bolt, as shown in Fig- 5 is an arm 29 provided with the looking member. 30. preferably provided with a knurled handle 31 so thatthe same can be rotated in the arm,

. and. a spring pressedball or plunger 32 is carried bythe arm which cooperates with recesses'33'in the lock to hold the same in proper position, but which permits turning of the, look when suflicient turning pressure is applied to the handle 31. The lower end of the lock member is provided with a pin 3%.

The plate 20 having been moved onto the platform in the channel formation, the lock member 29' is moved down over the plate until the cross pm 34 passes through the opening 24in the plate, whereupon the lock 31 may be turned to position the pin crosswise of the hole 24 so that the same can not come out. The plate 20 is thus locked in the frame.

H'owever, it.will be noted that the plate, to-

gether with the lock, can reciprocate lengthwise of the frame, which reciprocation is permitted by reason of the springs 28 and 28. Note, in Fig. 3, that the ends of the plate are well within the ends of the frame so that the This locking mer her is.

plate is free to thus reciprocate. A movement of the plate from right to left with respect to the frame compresses the spring 28, and the reverse movement compresses the spring 28, with the two springs tending normally to maintain the plate in the normal position shown.

Fig. 9 shows how a plurality of articles may be arranged one above the other by the use of posts. One frame is placed on the floor of railroad car, for example, and then a post lO is placed in each corner socket in a manner shown in Fig. 8. A second frame is then placed on the top of the posts 40, and further posts ll are placed in the sockets of the second frame, and then a third frame may be placed upon the tops of the posts :1-1. As shown in Fig. 5), three stoves are placed one above the other; the total height of this arran gement is such that it nicely tits in an ordinary freight car, but of course, if smaller articles are to be shipped, the posts can he made shorter, and any number of the articles can be superimposed one above the other.

In loading a railroad car with stoves, the stoves are first secured to the plates 20. This may be done any place in the factory. as for example, in the shipping room where the procedure can be elliciently accomplished. Then a set of platform and posts are set up, as shown in F 9, in the corner of a car. In Fig. 1 the car diagrammatically represented at 50, and at 51 is represented the lirst tier of crates. The stoves may then be brought in and the plates slid into position on the frames and locked. A second tier of frames represented at 52, is then set up in abutting relation to the first tier and the stoves placed therein. Then a tier 53 is set up in the other corner of the car. This tier is spaced relative to the next adjacent tier and an expansion bolt 54 is placed between the tiers thus separated. For this purpose each socket is provided with a squared opening 40 for receiving the squared end 410" of the bolts. This arrangement keeps the bolts from turning and may be expanded by a suitable turn buckle 42. As shown in Fig. 9, it is preferable to use three of these expansion bolts; or in other words, one for each platform. It is not believed necessary to use expansion bolts at the inner ends of the frames, or in other words, adjacent the end of the car, inasmuch as they are abutted against the sides of the car and end of the car, and can not become loose so long as the outer ends are held tightly. The expansion bolt causes the frames to be expanded and rigidly held against the slides of the car. Thus there are three tiers of stoves arranged transversely across the car. which forms one section, which fills one end of the car. The placing of the tions will continue according to the capacity of the car. The other end of the car is filled up in similar manner. As just stated, the

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stoves are placed in the tier .51 as soon as the tier is assembled. However, the stoves need not be placed in the tiers 51, 52 or 53 until all the tiers are assembled and locked by expansion bolts.

When the car is tilled up from each end, to the center. a space is left atthe center of the car. Expansion bolts 55 are placed lengthwise of the car and tightened. Preferably an expansion bolt is used for each tier, or, in other words, at each platform. At this point the reason why the channel formation does not extend to the end of the frame becomes ])parent. The space left in the center of the car is usually not as wide as the length of the plate upon which the stoves are mounted. The plates. with the stoves mounted thereon, may be talcen into this space end-- wise and then first inserted over the frame or platform angularly without interference by the channel. When the plate is sufficiently overlapped with respect to the frame, the plate and stove can be straightened out v-sith respect to the frame and then slid into place.

It will be understood that all of the platform units are identical so that they can be used at any place, as for example. at the bot tom of a tier, at the top of a tier. or as the last tiernear the center of thecar where the e:'-:- pans-ion bolts 55 are used. Similarly, all the plates are identical so that they can he used with any platform. Moreover, all of the posts 40 and ii are identical. This eXpe- (lites assen'ibly of the cratings and the loading of t ie car inasmuch as all the units are interehan ge able.

After the car is unloaded and the stoves removed from the plates, the plates are then slid back into place on the platforms, and locked in place. The platforms are then packed together, as shown in 2. The posts and bolts are laid down on. each platform. l? or this purpose each. platform is provided with a pair of pocket-like men'ibers and 46 having; open tops and closed ends, as at -17. The four posts used in conjunction with each. platform nicely lit into these menv bers and are held in place; also an extension bolt or two can be placed in with the posts. Upon assembling the frames, as shown in Fig. 2, bolts 41-8 may be passed through the corner soclrets of the platforms by utilizing the small openings 11 in each socket. This holds a number of platforn'is together so that they can now be shipped back to the original shipper.

The top frame or platform is preferably reversed or turned upside down so that its pockets for holding the posts and bolt. are upside down and on the reverse side of the pocket of the next adjacent plat-form. By doing; this the two top platfoii'n'is arranged face to face hold the posts and bolts in position in the pockets.

It will be noted that each stove, or other article in no way contacts with any of the crating structure, and that each stove is bolted securely to a plate. The plate and stove are of less length than the frame so that there is free movement back and forth of the stove by the acti on of the springs in the look, which arrangement absorbs the shocks incident to the moving and spotting of the railroad car, etc. i

lt has been found advantageous to discuss and describe the invention with respect to the racking and shipping of stoves. 1ft will, of course, be understood that the invention is applicable to the racking and shipping}; of articles of various kinds. The articles may be smaller than stoves in which case there will be more articles in a tier, and there may be more tiers arranged transversely of the car; and in case of articles larger than stoves the converse will be true.

The crating is also adapted for storage purpose as, for example, if a dealer desires to lreep a nu inbcr of stoves or other articles on hand in a warehouse. The stoves and racks may be removed from a freight car and stored in the warehouse by setting up the racks in much the same manner as the "acks was set up in a freight car. The top platform of the crating, if the same is setup in a car or in a warehouse for that matter, is not used with posts inasmuch as the posts are only used for supporting a platform.

An advantage which exists in the present invention is the manner in which the rack can be set up after the stoves are placed therein and when both ends of the car have been filled leaving a narrow space in the center of the car. A stove or other article can he slipped into place as above described by moving the article lengthwise into the narrow space and giving it a twist and sliding it under a platform. When this is done the posts of this platform need not be as yet in place so that the posts do not interfere with the placing" of the stove and the platform. In other words. a plate with its article may be moved across a corner of the platform if there is no post to interfere with this movement. This aids in the filling of the car substantially to the center thereof.

Claims:

1. In a rack, the combination of a plurality of platforms each having a socket at each corner, removable posts adapted to be secured in said socket-s whereby a plurality of said platforms may be arranged in vertical and spaced relation, and means removably received on each platform, the said means being adapted to hold an article to be shipped in the rack and locking; means for holdin the removable means in place.

2. In a rack, the combination of a plurality of platforms each having a socket at each corner, posts adapted to be secured in said sockets whereby a plurality of said platforms maybe arranged in vertical and spaced relation, means slidably received on each platform, the said means being adapted to hold an article to be shipped in the rack, and a shock absorbing device which permits relative movement between each platform and itsrespective means to cushion the article from shocks.

3. A collapsible permanent rack for shipping and the like, which consists in a plurality of platforms each adapted to hold an article to be shipped, post members removably secured to this platform for holding a plurality of said platforms in vertical and spaced relation, means on each platform for receiving a plurality of said posts when the cratin is collapsed, and means for securing a plurality of said platforms in direct superimposed position.

l-. A collapsible permanent rack for shipping and the like, which comprises a platform adapted to receive an article, posts detachably connected to the platform and adapted to hold a second similar platform above the said article, said second platform being adapted to hold an articleto be shipped, means upon at least one of the platforms for receiving and carryingthe posts'in collapsed position, and means for securing the. platformstogether for shipping, and otherwise handling, in collapsed position.

5. In a permanent rack, a platform, a plate-lilre member adapted to be secured to an article to be shipped, or similarly-handled, means on the platform for detachably holding said plate, including a shock absorbing device which permits relative movement betweenthe platform and the plate to protect the article on the plate.

6. In a permanent rack, a platform, a plate-like member adapted to be secured to an article to be shipped or otherwise handled, channel members onthe platform for slidably receiving the plate, a lock for locking the plate member on the platform, and a spring shock absorbing device in conjunction with the lock which permits relative move ment between the plate and'the platform under spring action to protect the article on the plate.

7. In a permanent rack, a platform, channel gtidcways on the platform, a plate adapted to be secured to an article to be shipped or .therwise handled, said plate being adapted to be received in the channel guideways on the platform, a locking device on the platform for locking the plate thereon, said locking device being carried by opposed coil springs whereby the lock and plate may move relative to the platform under the action of the springs to absorb shocks in shipping and protect the article on the platform.

8. A permanent and collapsible rack for pping and the like purposes, which comarises a iluralitv if identical platforms a plurality of identical posts for detachable connection with the platforms whereby a plurality of such platforms may be arranged in vertical and spaced relation, means on each platform for receiving an article to be shipped or otherwise handled, said rack being adapted to be collapsed with the platforms superimposed one upon another in direct abutting relation, and means on each platform for receiving and holding the posts in this collapsed condition.

9. A permanent and collapsible rack for shipping'and the like purposes, which comprises a plurality of identical platforms, a plurality of identical posts for detachable connection with the platforms whereby such a plurality of platforms may be arranged in vertical and spaced relation, means on ach platform for receiving an article to be shipped or otherwise handled, said rack bei ng adapted to be collapsed with the platforms superimposed one upon another in direct abutting relation, means on each platform for receiving and holding the posts in this collapsed condition, and means for securing a plurality of said collapsed platforms together for shipment of the rack without articles.

10. A permanent collapsible rack for shipping or otherwise handling articles, comprising a plurality of substantially identical platforms, a member at each corner of each platform provided with upper and lower sockets, posts adapted to be secured. in the sockets whereby a plurality of said platforms may be arranged in vertical and spaced relation for holding articles to be shipped, each corner member having a'relatively small aperture connecting the said upper and lower socket-s, said platforms, when the rack is collapsed, being adapted to be superimposed one upon another in direct abutting relation. and means extending through the said relatively small apertures for holding a plurality of the platforms together.

11. The method of shipping or otherwise handlingarticles, which comprises the setting up of a collapsible rack, attaching an article to be shipped to a detachable portion of the rack, and then placing the article in the set-up rack by securing the detachable portion of the rack which holds the article to the rack.

12. The method of shipping or otherwise handling articles, which comprises the setting up of collapsible rack which includes a plurality of similar platforms, securing each article to a detached portion of the rack and then placing each detached portion of the rack, which holds an article, to one of the said platforms.

13 The method of'shipping articles in a freight car, which consists in setting up permanent and collapsible rack transversely across the end of the car, placing the articles in the rack and then securely fixing the crating in the car by utilizing an expansion bolt between two units of the rack arranged transversely across the car to hold the rack tightly against the sides of the car.

14. The method of shipping articles in a freight car, which consists in setting up collapsible rack for holding the articles transversely across one end of the car, and securely fixing the rack by utilizing an expansion bolt to tighten the rack against the sides of the car, filling up the car from each end toward the center with similar transversely arranged rack and transverse expansion bolts, and then inserting longitudinal expansion bolts be tween adjacent crating near the center of the car, and tightening the bolts to hold the rack against the end of the car.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature.

LOUIS A. SHERMAN. 

